We are hoping for DS to get a study permit, in order to start school (last two years) in Alberta in July this year, before our PR comes thorugh (hopefully). If that happens I will be staying with him for several months at a time, going back to the UK every so often (to keep things legal).

A couple of years ago, whilst in Canada, we were told by some friends at the licensing office, that we could easily exchange our UK license for an Alberta one. Now, I know that I would lose my UK license, but I was just wondering. I'm not saying that I will do it (as I still need my UK license), I just wanted to know how easy it is for a non-resident to get an Alberta license.

A visitor cannot get an Alberta driver's licence.

I believe your best option would be to get an International Driver's Licence before you leave the UK. If you are a visitor, you can use this in conjunction with your UK driver's licence for 12 months.

This is explained in the Wiki article called Alberta - Driving licence.

As people keep pointing out, the International Driver's Licence is useless. It only serves as a translation of your UK licence. Given that English is fairly widely spoken in Canada, there's no need for one.

The Traffic Safety in Alberta website has a section entitled Driver Safety. That section, in turn, has a page about Visitors. It states:
The reference to vehicle registration reminds me of something, The Canes. As far as I understand, a visitor cannot register a vehicle. This will make it awkward for you to buy and drive a vehicle. Perhaps there is a work-around. If there is, I don't know what it is. Perhaps you'd be allowed to lease a vehicle, but I have never looked into this possibility on behalf of a visitor.
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Thanks for your help. I guess, an International license it is then.

I purchased a truck in BC while here as a tourist (several months before my WP was issued), and had no problem with registration, insurance etc. ICBC were happy for me to use my UK licence and UK no claims discount too.

I have just checked, and that now seems to be the case for Alberta too.

I recall looking this up for someone in the past, and my recollection is that -- at that time -- one had to be a resident of Alberta in order to register a vehicle in Alberta.

However, that no longer is the case.

Thanks for the heads up.
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Actually you are right about this. If you look at your UK license it has a massive E on it meaning you can drive anywhere in Europe. Thus by definition as the UK is still a different country to the rest of europe it is 'international' license.

If you were stopped by any officer in Canada (or world) and pointed out this simple explanation and that it was an international license then there is nothing they can do about it.

So why is this not done.!!

Well the AA (a private motoring organisation) who gives out the international D/L make an absolute fortune with british people paying them money everyday to give them a peice of paper with the word 'international' on it. They do not test you again or prove that you can drive on the left or anything. It is a paper exchange exercise.

So the AA do not tell anyone or complaiin. The UK goverment are not bothered because no one complains to them and they do not want to stop private enterprise. The british population generally do not understand the difference between europe and international and like sheep pay the money over.

So what is an international drivers license....... well if you passed your test where the standards are not the same as the UK or Europe. There are even some countrys where you do not have to take a physical driving test like Uganda you can just drive. Then you would need an international drivers license to show the Canadian authorites that you can drive to a set standard.

Judy, I think Bazzz's point is still valid. The IDL serves as a translation of a (non-English or French) driver's licence, so that the enforcement agencies in the country you're visiting can understand the entitlements and restrictions of your non-Canadian licence. Holders of a UK-issued licence do not need an IDL to drive (as a visitor) anywhere in Canada, as there is nothing to translate. The IDL does not confer any driving privileges beyond what you are licensed to do in your home country. I note that the website you quote is a government agency site but not the licensing authority's - I had a quick google but couldn't find any reference to IDL on the Service Alberta site.

In several visits to Canada before moving here, I never had an IDL and would never recommend anybody with a UK licence to pay for one before travelling to Canada.

One easy way around your problem is to get a D1 form ( licence application) from a UK post office, fill it in saying you have lost your licence and require another copy. This way you will have two copies of your UK licence, one for back in the UK, and one you can exchange for an Alberta one. A copy from DVLA costs £17.50. As long as you have a UK address for it.

I personaly exchanged my UK licence for a Jersey ( Channel isles) licence a few years ago, and a few weeks ago got a copy of my UK licence. As there is no agreement between Jersey and Alberta, I would have had to resit my test, when I land I will exchange my UK one and keep my Jersey licence. I just had to give my mothers address in the UK, and the DVLA even sent it to me at my address in Holland!

This might help until you are pernamently in Alberta and no longer require a UK licence.

I recently surrendered my UK licence when swapping it for an Alberta licence.

I took a photocopy of my UK licence before I swapped it, and intend to write to the DVLA to request a replacement. Remember, even though you will have to surrender the physical UK licence, (photocard and paper) it hasn't been cancelled or rescinded by the DVLA... they will simply re-issue another one.

As an aside though, I really have no idea why Alberta insists on keeping the UK driving licence. I also have D/Ls from several other countries, and these were all issued in addition to my UK one. I did try to swap some of those D/Ls for the Alberta D/L, but the Registry people weren't interested unless I also got a full translation and a current statement that I wasn't banned on that licence. Seemed easier to give up the UK one, as they would do it there and then.

All provinces are required to implement the law that prohibits an individual from holding multiple licences issued from different countries. Some licensing offices seem more diligent than others in actually taking your other (UK) licence off you. The logical reason is to prevent fraud - stops you producing a foreign licence if you're stopped for a traffic offence, for example.

I have found the actual government regulation, and it seems to support your position.

ALBERTA REGULATION 320/2002 Traffic Safety Act OPERATOR LICENSING AND VEHICLE CONTROL REGULATION states:

Part 1
Operator’s Licence

Division 1
Exemptions

.......

International licence

4(1) A person who is not resident in Canada and who holds a valid international driver’s licence issued outside Canada that permits the person to drive a particular class or type of motor vehicle is not required to hold a subsisting operator’s licence if the person drives the same type or class of motor vehicle in Alberta.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the person has been in Alberta for more than 12 consecutive months.

(3) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), if the person has become a resident of Alberta, he or she must obtain an operator’s licence within 90 days of the date of the person’s move to take up residence in Alberta, irrespective of whether the person travels outside Alberta during the 90‑day period.

That's what I always felt was one of the advantages of holding multiple licences!!

I don't think that's the normal procedure in Europe or the rest of the world, although to be fair, the Driving Licence almost has the status of an identity card in North America.

It's not "almost", it does have that status.